Independent Talk Fell Apart
Wednesday, 16th May 1956
The British Government could not accept the terms, which is the "chairmanship of the defence council." Britain insisted on nominating the holder. Mr. Marshall disagree. And the British Team decided to end the talk. Merdeka? It's all over! The final communique was drawn up and released. The British Team led by Mr Lennox Boyd then meet the press and read his statement. Later the Singapore Team meet the press and it was that moment that Mr. David Marshall announce his resignation.
According to Mr. Lim Koon Teck (LKT), a Liberal-Socialist, "The conference failed because in the first instance, there wasn't enough faith and trust on both side." Mr. Lim Chin Siong of PAP said, "Failure has proved that the British Government isn't sincere in wanting to give Singapore self-government or independence." And Mr. Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) describe the failure as a temporary setback and when on to say "When we come back, I hope we will get better terms that we have lost." He went on to saying "The fight goes on", the talks have broken down because both sides cannot agree on one point: Who has the final say on defence issues - the British Government wanted the last word.